Top 7 Ways to Check if You Have Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer begins in the urothelial cells that line the inner side of the urinary bladder. It is more common in men than in women. Here are 7 ways that will help you check if you have bladder cancer.

7. Urinary symptoms

The initial warning signs of bladder cancer include pain while passing urine, blood in urine, dark-colored urine, and increased frequency of urination. If these symptoms become worse gradually over a period of time, it could be a sign of bladder cancer. [1]

6. Systemic effects

Bladder cancer can cause symptoms not just related to urination. You may also develop symptoms that seem to be unrelated to the urinary system such as weight loss, unusual tiredness, and loss of appetite. These symptoms can raise a suspicion of bladder cancer, especially when coupled with pain in the back. [2]

5. Cystoscopy

During a cystoscopy, a doctor would insert a narrow tube called a cystoscope through your urethra. The tube has a lens attached to its end that would allow the doctor to visualize the inner side of your bladder to detect any signs of cancer. [3]

4. Biopsy

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Biopsy of the urinary bladder can be performed during cystoscopy. During this test, a small sample of tissues is removed from the bladder and sent to a laboratory for testing. Microscopic examination of the sample might help to detect the presence of cancer cells. [4]

3. Urine cytology

One of the easiest ways to check for bladder cancer is urine cytology. It involves the analysis of a sample of urine under a microscope to detect the presence of cancer cells. [5]

2. Ultrasound

An ultrasound scanning of the urinary bladder can help to confirm the diagnosis of bladder cancer. It can also be helpful for detecting the presence of a tumor located at a spot where it could block the flow of urine from the ureters to the bladder. [6]

1. Imaging tests

Imaging tests, like CT urogram and retrograde pyelogram, can help to check if you have bladder cancer. During a CT urogram test, a contrast dye is injected into a vein that eventually flows into the kidneys and bladder. The abnormal growth caused due to bladder cancer can be detected with the help of X-ray images taken during this test. [7]